Ball moves on hitch head when weight applied - dangerous I assume!?

[Donw78025]

Hey there,
I’m a newbie and just moved my new 1961 Avion T-20 yesterday for the first time. As I needed a adapter I bought a 2” adapter and A 2 5/16” ball. Guess what, the ball shank diameter was larger than the hole in the adapter. Is it possible you need a ball with a larger shank? The two balls I now own, one has a 1” shank and the other has a 1-1/4 “ shank.
Good luck,
Rick

No thanks. The ball have had the correct shank. But that was a good idea!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Phew! Lot's of advice for what appears in the photo to be a very simple problem: The nut on the ball isn't tight enough in the mount, allowing the ball to tilt. Don't need an Equalizer hitch specialist, just a guy with a couple big wrenches to tighten it back down. Don't leave home until it is fixed!

 

[Donw78025]

Phew! Lot's of advice for what appears in the photo to be a very simple problem: The nut on the ball isn't tight enough in the mount, allowing the ball to tilt. Don't need an Equalizer hitch specialist, just a guy with a couple big wrenches to tighten it back down. Don't leave home until it is fixed!

Yup, that's my first step Gary. Just dropped it off at a local garage that I know and like so he can get to it between jobs today.

 

[Lou Schneider]

The ball won't tilt unless it's shank is smaller than the hole it's in. Perhaps the hole has been worn oblong by the shank moving in it.

 

[Old_Crow]

The ball won't tilt unless it's shank is smaller than the hole it's in. Perhaps the hole has been worn oblong by the shank moving in it.

Or, worse yet, the shank on the ball has been worn down.

 

[Donw78025]

Phew! Lot's of advice for what appears in the photo to be a very simple problem: The nut on the ball isn't tight enough in the mount, allowing the ball to tilt. Don't need an Equalizer hitch specialist, just a guy with a couple big wrenches to tighten it back down. Don't leave home until it is fixed!

All fixed (I hope)! Mechanic said nut turned/tightened almost 3/4 revolution. Thanks again for all the input!

 

[Rene T]

That’s great. Just keep and eye on it for a while. Thanks for getting back to us.

 

[bzerull]

The problem is not the ball seating in the coupler, it's the ball rocking in the hitch. It needs to be tightened either by tightening the nut or adding a washer if the threads aren't deep enough. There should be a large lock washer between the nut and the hitch.

yes, the ball is not seated properly, nor is the ball all the way into the coupler. Either the coupler needs to be adjusted or the ball size changed or both. not at all safe to travel the way it is shown in the picture.

 

[Oldgator73]

If I were you I would invest in a couple of big wrenches and keep them in the RV just in case. If nothing else you can use them for protection. Duct tape is another item I have found helpful on the road. Had to duct tape a stabilizer to the frame once to keep it from dragging on the pavement. The duct tape also comes in handy if have to use your big wrench to whack an intruder. You can tape the guys wrists and ankles to secure him until the cops get there.

 

[Ray-IN]

A related issue is you are not greasing the ball hitch, it must be lubricated to function as designed. Chrome is not a lubricant, especially when rubbing against bare steel.

I once had a friend who flatly refused to grease the ball hitch, saying it was messy. One day he asked me about the metal grit around his trailer ball. The inside of the trailer receiver was worn out and chrome worn off the ball.
I suspect the lack of lubrication helped with working your trailer ball loose over time.

 

[KB9VGD]

Beside the ball being loose it looks like the angle should be adjusted also if possible.

 

[OldNYFirefighter]

Balls come in various sizes SHANKS which is threaded part also come in various sizes the ball mount has a hole in various sizes the key is to mount a 2 5/8 ball with a 3/4 in shank with a ball mount with a 3/4, inch hole in this case the shank is too small for the hole

Ps this is a $20 fix but i wouldnt leave home with out it and any home depot etc will have the right size ball with the appropriate shank

A 10,000 2 5/16 Ball always has a 1' or larger shank. Some are even 1 1/4" fine thread. A 10,000 2 5/16" ball mount will have at least 1" & usually a 1 1/4 inch bore & be at least 3/4" thick. if it is 1/2" or 5/8" thick the ball mount is only rated for 350 lb tongue weight & 5,000 max trailer weight